Method and apparatus for rod alignment

ABSTRACT

An aligning apparatus may include a housing configured for arrangement about a reciprocating rod, a bore extending through the housing and having a size configured to allow the reciprocating rod to pass through the bore in a reciprocating and longitudinal motion, and a plurality of rolling elements arranged along the bore and configured to guide the rod through the bore during reciprocation operations, wherein the housing includes a plurality of portions and is configured for lateral removal from the reciprocating rod. A wellhead assembly having an aligning apparatus and/or a pump jack with an aligning apparatus may also be provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/511,452, filed on May 26, 2017, entitled Method and Apparatus forRod Alignment, the content of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

In one or more embodiments, the present application discloses anapparatus for maintaining alignment of a rod. More particularly, in oneor more embodiments, the present application relates to an apparatus formaintaining the alignment of a reciprocating rod entering and exiting abore. Still more particularly, the present application relates to anapparatus for maintaining the alignment of a polished rod reciprocatingin and out of an oil well, for example, due to the action of a pumpjack.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Downhole reciprocating pumps may be positioned in a wellbore andactuated by a rod string extending from a pump jack at the surface anddownward into the wellbore. The rod string may be a continuous member ora plurality of sucker rods connected end-to-end, with a “polished rod”located at its surface-end. The rod may reciprocate in an up/down motiondue to action of the pump jack, for example. The reciprocating motion ofthe rod may drive a piston or other pump mechanism to create pressureand drive fluid upward and out of the well. A stuffing box may beprovided at the surface to create a seal around the polished rod. Thestuffing box may include a body with seals located therein to create aseal around the moving polished rod passing therethrough in order toretain wellbore fluid pressures and prevent the leakage of wellborefluids.

It is not uncommon for the polished rod to become misaligned with theaxis of the bore of the stuffing box through normal usage, throughdamage, or through wear or stress on the system. For example, when theoverhead pump jack is not perfectly centered over the stuffing box, itmay pull the polished rod off-center. Moreover, the action of the pumpjack may be along a radius and, as such, may not pull completelyparallel to the rod at all times. Still other factors may contribute tomisalignment of the rod with the stuffing box, the other mentioneddevices, or other systems.

As may be appreciated, a misaligned polished rod can cause excessive anduneven wear to one or more sides of the seals of the stuffing box. Thiscan lead to premature wear, leakage of wellbore fluids, or even damageto the polished rod. That is, for example, if the stuffing box sealswear to the point where the polished rod contacts the metal body of thestuffing box, the polished rod itself may begin to wear or wear morequickly. Damage to the polished rod can quickly cause leaks and couldalso result in the rod breaking, dropping the sucker rod stringdownhole, or other drastic and/or dangerous conditions.

Attempts to maintain rod alignment have included the use of rings orbushings spaced within the bore of the stuffing box. These types ofbushings may keep the polished rod aligned with the bore of the stuffingbox for a period of time, but their soft nature together with theconstant reciprocating motion of the polished rod may cause the bushingsto wear relatively quickly, leading to the problems stated above.Moreover, replacement of the bushings requires a stoppage of productionin order to access the inside of the stuffing box. This can be timeconsuming because the pump jack may need to be disconnected and thestuffing box disassembled.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments.

In one or more embodiments, an aligning apparatus may include a housingconfigured for arrangement about a reciprocating rod. The aligningapparatus may also include a bore extending through the housing andhaving a size configured to allow the reciprocating rod to pass throughthe bore in a reciprocating and longitudinal motion. The aligningapparatus may also include a plurality of rolling elements arrangedalong the bore and configured to guide the rod through the bore duringreciprocation operations.

In one or more embodiments, a wellhead assembly may include a blowoutpreventer arranged at the surface of a well and a stuffing box arrangedon the blowout preventer for creating a seal around a reciprocating rodentering the well. The wellhead assembly may also include an aligningapparatus with a housing configured for arrangement about thereciprocating rod. The aligning apparatus may also include a boreextending through the housing and having a size configured to allow thereciprocating rod to pass through the bore in a reciprocating andlongitudinal motion. The aligning apparatus may also include a pluralityof rolling elements arranged along the bore and configured to guide therod through the bore during reciprocation operations.

In one or more embodiments, a pump jack may include a pivoting beam, ahead arranged on the pivoting beam, a reciprocating mechanism configuredto pivotally reciprocate the pivoting beam, and a reciprocating rodcoupled to the head and extending into a wellbore for powering a pump topump fluid from the wellbore. The pump jack may also include a stuffingbox arranged at the top of the wellbore and having a bore with thereciprocating rod extending therethrough. The pump jack may also includean aligning device arranged at or around the stuffing box with thereciprocating rod extending therethrough and including rolling elementsconfigured to maintain the reciprocating rod in alignment with the boreof the stuffing box.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure are capable ofmodifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawingsand detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in natureand not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as formingthe various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed thatthe invention will be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pump jack having a polished rod extendingthrough a rod alignment apparatus, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the rod alignment apparatus of FIG. 1 inplace on top of a stuffing box with a polished rod extending through thecommon bore, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a rod alignment apparatus in place on arod, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3A with thehousing made transparent, according to one or more embodiments. FIGS. 3Aand 3B may be collectively referred to herein as “Fig. 3” or “Figure 3”.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one of the housing portions of the apparatus ofFIG. 3, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 3, according to one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a rod alignment apparatus, according toone or more embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 6A with thehousing made transparent, according to one or more embodiments. FIGS. 6Aand 6B may be collectively referred to herein as “Fig. 6” or “Figure 6.”

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a rodalignment apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a close-up side view of one of the housing portions of theembodiment of FIG. 7, depicting an empty cavity and several couplingbores, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wheel assembly and axle, according toone or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a close up side view of a wheel assembly secured by a clampassembly to the housing, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an aligning apparatus in place on a hydraulicrod pumping system.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an aligning apparatus in place on aprogressing cavity pump head drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application, in one or more embodiments, relates to a methodand apparatus for maintaining and/or controlling the alignment of areciprocating, rotating, or otherwise moving rod. In particular, themethod and apparatus may include forcing the rod into alignment using aguide or a series of guides arranged on or about the rod. In someparticular cases, the reciprocating rod may include a polished rodportion of a pump jack system where the polished rod extends through astuffing box into a wellbore and the rod reciprocates up and down todrive a well pump. The present apparatus may be provided at or aroundthe stuffing box to force the rod into alignment with the stuffing boxto limit, reduce, or avoid prematurely wearing out of the seals on thestuffing box. That is, by maintaining the rod at or near the center ofthe stuffing box, the rod may not cause as much wear as it would if itwas allowed to drift toward the side. If the rod is allowed to drift tothe side, it may rub more vigorously on the seals of the stuffing boxand cause them to wear prematurely.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a pump jack system 1000 is shown including apivoting beam 1002, a head portion 1004, and an articulation mechanism1006. A bridle 1008 may extend from the head of the pump jack down to apolished rod R, which may extend further downward through an alignmentapparatus 10, a stuffing box 2, and a blowout preventer 1010, and into awellbore. As may be appreciated, the articulation mechanism 1006 mayfunction to articulate the pivoting beam 1002, which may function todrive and/or pull the polished rod R into and out of the wellbore. Aswill be described in more detail below, the alignment apparatus 10 mayfunction to maintain or control the alignment of the polished rod R asit reciprocates up and down through the stuffing box 2 and the othermentioned elements.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the alignment apparatus 10 in place ontop of a stuffing box 2 as depicted in FIG. 1. As shown, the rodalignment apparatus 10 may be mounted on top of a stuffing box 2 with apump rod, such as polished rod R, extending through the bore of thestuffing box and the bore of other aligned systems. As shown, thealignment apparatus may be configured to guide the polished rod into thestuffing box in a manner that centers the polished rod in the stuffingbox or otherwise aligns the polished rod with an axially extending boreof the stuffing box.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an alignment apparatus 10. The apparatusmay include a generally cylindrical main housing 20 having alongitudinal bore 30 extending therethrough for receiving a pump rod,such as a polished rod R. The apparatus may also include two or morewheel assemblies 50 secured in at least two corresponding cavities 32formed in the housing 20. The wheel assemblies may be secured via amounting means and may protrude into the bore 30 for maintainingalignment of the polished rod R.

Housing 20 can comprise a first housing portion 22 and a second housingportion 24 which can removably couple with each other to form housing20. For example, and with reference to FIG. 3, housing 20 can comprisefirst and second portions 22,24 coupled together via a plurality ofcorresponding first and second coupling bores 25,26 extending throughthe first and second portions 22,24, respectively, and a plurality ofcoupling fasteners 28 (FIG. 7). In the depicted embodiment, first andsecond coupling bores 25,26 may be internally threaded for engagementwith coupling fasteners 28, which are threaded bolts. In otherembodiments, one of the bores may be threaded and the other bore smoothto draw the portions together. In the case of a two part or multiplepart housing, the housing may be coupled with fasteners extendingthrough bores as described, or alternatively or additionally, flangeswith bolts, or other fastening mechanisms may be provided. Further, inother embodiments, housing 20 can be a one-piece housing such as theembodiment shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the housing can be integralwith surrounding or adjacent elements such as integral with a stuffingbox, for example, where the housing is formed or molded with thestuffing box housing. In other embodiments, while one-piece, the housingmay be secured to adjacent elements in the wellhead and not necessarilyintegral therewith. It is also noted that while the housing has beendescribed as generally cylindrical, a rectangular, triangular, or othershaped housing may be provided. In one or more embodiments, the numberof sides may correspond to the number of wheel assemblies such that aflat side is provided for mounting and/or adjusting the wheel assembly.Still other housing shapes may be used.

Housing 20 may be removably attached to a stuffing box and otherwellhead components via any means known in the art such as a threadedengagement, a flange, welding, clamping over a portion of other wellheadcomponents such as a stuffing box, and the like. Additionally oralternatively, the housing may be furnished with a cylindricalprotrusion that gets fed through the stuffing cap bore. The housing maythen be secured with a U-shaped field-compatible threaded retainer, forexample. Still other securing mechanisms may include bolts or a retainerring (i.e., snap ring).

FIGS. 3-6 show wheel assemblies 50 comprising a wheel 54 and one or morebearings 52 located inside each of the cavities 32 and secured thereinusing mounting means, such as a fastener, spindle, axle, and/or shaft60. Each wheel 54 may be sized such that it protrudes into bore 30through aperture 34 and contacts rod R to maintain the alignment of rodR with the bore of the stuffing box. Wheels 54 may have a concave orgrooved profile or contour 56 for better engagement with rod R. Wheelassemblies 50 may be mounted in their respective cavities 32 byinstalling bearing 52 inside wheel 54 and locating the wheel assembly 50inside the cavity 32. The common axis of the wheel 54 and bearing 52 maybe aligned with the axis of a mounting bore 36 extending from theexterior surface of the housing 20 and into the housing and the cavity32 and across the cavity (i.e. continued on opposite side of cavity). Ashaft 60, such as a shoulder bolt, may be inserted through the mountingbore 36 and bearing 52 to secure the wheel assembly 50 to housing 20. Ifdesired, snap rings 53 can be installed on the shaft 60 on either sideof the wheel 54 to maintain the position of the bearing and wheel alongthe fastener. In the depicted embodiment, a portion of mounting bore 36may be internally threaded, and shaft 60 may be a shoulder boltcomprising a threaded portion engaging with the inner threads of themounting bore 36 and a smooth portion for mounting the wheel assembly50.

Mounting means can be shafts/fasteners such as a shoulder bolt uponwhich the wheel assemblies 50 rotate, or clamp assemblies eachcomprising an axle upon which a wheel assembly 50 rotates and clamps forsecuring the axle to the housing 20. In either case, the wheel 54 may bemounted on a shaft 60 that is arranged generally tangentially to andspaced away from the circumference of the rod such that the rotationplane of the wheel is generally perpendicular to the surface of the rod.The shaft 60 may be spaced from the surface of the rod R a distancesubstantially equal to the radius of the wheel such that the wheelcontacts the surface of the rod. As shown in FIG. 5, several wheelassemblies may be provided about the housing creating a wheel borewithin the housing that is slightly smaller than the bore 30 andapproximately equal to the diameter of the rod diameter. At least twocavities 32 for receiving at least two wheel assemblies 50 can becircumferentially spaced about the housing 20. Still other numbers suchas three, four, or other numbers of cavities and wheel assemblies may beprovided. Cavities 32 may be in communication with the longitudinal bore30 via apertures 34 located in the cavities 32 (FIG. 7). In the depictedembodiments, three equidistant cavities 32,32,32, are circumferentiallyspaced about housing 20.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6-10, the mounting meansused to secure wheel assemblies 50 to housing 20 can be a clamp assemblycomprising an axle or shaft 100, one or more clamps 110, and clampfasteners 112. As best shown in FIG. 7, the cavities 32 of housing 20can be sized and shaped to receive the wheel assemblies 50 and clamps110. In the depicted embodiment, two clamps 110,110 are used to secureeach wheel assembly 50 to housing 20. Clamp bores 104 can extend from aninside face 33 of each of the cavities 32 into the housing 20, and canbe internally threaded for receiving clamp fasteners 104 and securingthe one or more clamps 110 to housing 20. A first axle groove 102 can belocated on the inside face 33 of each of the cavities 32 for receivingan axle or shaft 100. In the depicted embodiments, as best shown in FIG.10, clamps 110 are generally rectangular cuboid members comprising awheel end 114 having a second axle groove 116 for cooperating with firstaxle groove 102 to retain an axle 100 therebetween, and a mounting end118 for engaging with clamp fasteners 112 to secure clamps 110 tohousing 20. Fastening apertures 120 located on the body of clamp 110 andspaced and sized to be complementary with the clamp bores 104 can extendfrom mounting end 118 to wheel end 114 to allow clamp fasteners 112 tobe inserted therethrough.

Wheel assemblies 50 may be mounted in their respective cavities 32 byinstalling bearing 52 inside wheel 54, inserting axle 100 throughbearing 52 and positioning the wheel assembly 50 inside cavity 32 suchthat the axle 100 rests in the first axle groove 102. The one or moreclamps 110 can then be positioned in cavity 32, such that axle 100 issandwiched between the first axle groove 102 of the cavity 32 and thesecond axle groove 116 of the one or more clamps 110, and secured tobody 20 by inserting clamp fasteners 112 through fastening apertures 120and threading them into clamp bores 104. As above, if desired, snaprings 53 can be installed on the axle 100 on either side of the wheel 54to maintain the position of the bearing and the wheel along the axle.The clamp assemblies and wheel assemblies may be accessible from outsidethe housing and, as such, may allow for removing or replacing the wheelassemblies while the aligning device remains in place.

In one or more embodiments, the above described clamp assemblies may beadjustable assemblies that may function to move the wheel assembliesinward and outward relative the housing and, as such, accommodatedifferent size polished rods. In this embodiment, a clamp fastener mayfunction to secure the axle to an inner plate or stop and a separateadjustment screw may be provided to adjust the position of the innerplate or stop to allow the wheel assembly to move inwardly or outwardly.

The rod aligning apparatus 10 can be installed on a stuffing box orother wellhead component by positioning the first or second housingportion 22,24 such that polished rod R resides within bore 30, andsecuring the other of the first or second housing portion 22,24 theretoby aligning the first and second coupling bores 25,26 and fasteningcoupling fasteners 28 through each of the coupling bores 24,25 to securefirst and second portions 22,24 to each other. As such, the aligningdevice may be installed without interruption or disassembly of thereciprocating rod system. In embodiments with a one-piece housing 20,the housing 20 can be slid onto a polished rod R while the pump jack isdisconnected from the rod R such that the rod resides within bore 30.The wheel assemblies 50 can then be installed and secured in theirrespective cavities 32 in the manner described above. Alternatively oradditionally, the wheel assemblies may be pre-installed. The apparatus10 can be secured to the stuffing box in any manner known in the art,such as by coupling the apparatus 10 to a corresponding threaded orflanged engagement of the stuffing box. In the case of an apparatus 10with multiple housing portions, the housing portions can be clamped overa corresponding portion of the stuffing box before being coupledtogether. It is to be appreciated that the installation of the alignmentapparatus may be performed in the field with new equipment, in the fieldas a field retrofit of existing equipment, or it may be secured to orinstalled in a shop setting, for example, by securing it to a stuffingbox or other equipment forming other portions of the wellhead.

While a single aligning apparatus has been described, multiple aligningapparatuses may be provided along the length of the rod to addressvarious issues associated with rod deviation. In one or moreembodiments, a second or additional aligning apparatus may be provideddirectly above the apparatus on the stuffing box. In one or more otherembodiments, an additional aligning apparatus may be provided above theapparatus on the stuffing box, but spaced apart from it in an upwarddirection along the rod. In one or more other embodiments, the aligningapparatus or additional aligning apparatuses may be positioned withinthe wellhead such as below the stuffing box or between the stuffing boxand the blowout preventer. Still other numbers and arrangements ofaligning apparatuses may be provided. Still further, in one or moreembodiments, mechanisms that may provide for dynamic adjustability ofthe stuffing box may be provided. These devices may allow the stuffingbox location, position, or orientation to be adjustable or moveable toaccommodate drift in the position of the polished rod. The presentaligning apparatus may be provided in addition and in conjunction withsuch devices.

In use, rod R reciprocates inside the bore 30 of aligning apparatus 10.Wheels 54 maintain the rod R in alignment with the bore of the stuffingbox. As the rod R reciprocates, wheels 54 rotate to reduce frictionalwear of the rod R thereon. In the event that bearings 52 seize, wheels54 continue to maintain rod R in alignment by acting as bushings. If thepump jack is not centered over the wellhead stack, or other conditionscause rod R to be misaligned, rod R may tend to exert more wear on toone of the wheels 54 compared to the others. In this situation, forembodiments with multiple housing portions, aligning apparatus 10 can berotated about rod R by loosening coupling fasteners 28 sufficiently toallow apparatus 10 to be rotated. Apparatus 10 can then be rotated suchthat rod R will wear on another wheel 54, for example by rotating thealigning apparatus 120 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. The rangeor degree of rotation may be any selected degree and while 120 degreesmay be suitable for a system of three wheel assemblies, other degreesmay be selected based on the number of wheel assemblies and the desiredrotation for exposing a less worn wheel assembly to a higher wearcondition and removing a highly worn wheel from the higher wearcondition. In embodiments with threaded or flanged connections with thestuffing box, the housing 20 can be rotated by tightening or looseningthe threaded engagement until the desired degree of rotation isachieved, or by removing the flange bolts, rotating the housing 20, andreinstalling the flange bolts.

When replacement of a wheel 54 and/or bearing 52 is required, the wheelassembly 50 can easily be removed from the housing 20 without removingthe apparatus 10 from the wellhead. For example, in embodiments with afastener 60 mounting means, the fastener 60 of the respective wheelassembly 50 can be loosened and removed to allow the wheel assembly 50to be removed from its respective cavity 32. In embodimentsincorporating a clamp assembly, clamp fasteners 112 and clamp 110 can beremoved to free the wheel assembly 50 and axle 100. A new wheel 54and/or bearing 52 can then be provided to replace the worn wheel 54and/or bearing 52, and the wheel assembly 50 can be re-secured to thehousing 20 in the manner described above.

While the aligning device has been shown for use with a pump jack systemsuch as that shown in FIG. 1, additional applications of the aligningdevice may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the aligningdevice may be used with a hydraulic rod pumping system 2000. As shown,the aligning device 10 may be provided along a polished rod R as the rodenters/exits the stuffing box. The aligning device 10 may function tomaintain the rod in alignment with the bore of the stuffing box. Asmentioned, the aligning device may be arranged on top of the stuffingbox or it may be arranged at other locations throughout the wellhead. Asanother example, FIG. 12 shows the aligning device 10 in place on top ofa progressing cavity pump drive head 3000 and may be suitable for useduring installation of the pump system or during servicing of wells witha progressing cavity pump. For example, during a “flush by” job wherethe rod string is pulled upward through the well to remove sand or othersolid accumulations, the aligning device may be used to maintain thealignment of the polished rod during this operation.

It is to be appreciated that while the aligning apparatus 10 has beendescribed as including wheels or wheel assemblies around thecircumference of the polished rod R, other aligning mechanisms may alsobe provided. For example, a static, low friction element, may beprovided rather than a mechanical rolling element, for example. In oneor more embodiments, a low friction bushing or series of surroundingbumpers may be provided within the housing of the aligning device. Forexample, rather than wheel assemblies, a similarly structured assemblymay be provided with a supporting axle, but in lieu of a wheel, a lowfriction slide or bumper may be provided. The low friction bumperassembly may have the advantage over donut shaped bushings in that oneor more bumpers may be replaced similar to the wheels and, as such,maintenance may be performed without disassembly of the system. Inanother example, other rotating or rolling elements may be providedother than isolate wheels or wheel assemblies. For example, one or morelinear bearings may be arranged on an inner surface of the housing alongthe bore for guiding the polished rod. In one or more embodiments, acustomized cage with a series of ball bearings arranged in the cage mayalso be used. In still other embodiments, wheels or rollers may be used.In one or more embodiments, the rollers may be cylindrical, spherical,or conical, for example. In still other embodiments, needle bearingscould also be used. Still other types of rotating or rolling elementsmay be used.

The rolling or rotating elements (including the above-described wheelsor the series of rotating or rolling elements introduced here) mayinclude one or more materials selected from metals, coated materials,Teflon, plastic, other materials, or a combination of materials. In oneor more embodiments, the material selected may include a hardness thatis less than that of the polished rod to avoid marring, scratching, orotherwise wearing on the polished rod. In one or more embodiments, thewheels or the surface of the wheels may include bronze or otherrelatively soft metals.

As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to thecomplete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action,characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. Forexample, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed wouldmean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completelyenclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolutecompleteness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However,generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to havegenerally the same overall result as if absolute and total completionwere obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equallyapplicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the completeor near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state,structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination,embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generallyfree of” an element may still actually contain such element as long asthere is generally no significant effect thereof.

In the foregoing description various embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications orvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. The variousembodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustrationof the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, andto enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within thescope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claimswhen interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly,legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aligning apparatus, comprising: a housingconfigured for arrangement about a reciprocating rod; a bore extendingthrough the housing and having a size configured to allow thereciprocating rod to pass through the bore in a reciprocating andlongitudinal motion; and a plurality of guide assemblies arranged alongthe bore and configured to guide the rod through the bore duringreciprocation operations.
 2. The aligning apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe housing includes a plurality of portions and is configured forlateral removal from the reciprocating rod.
 3. The aligning apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the guide assemblies include one of rolling elementsand low friction bumpers and
 4. The aligning apparatus of claim 3,wherein the rolling elements include a plurality of wheels with asurface contour adapted to engage an outer circumference of thereciprocating rod.
 5. The aligning apparatus of claim 4, wherein thewheels are arranged in a radial pattern about the bore.
 6. The aligningapparatus of claim 5, wherein an axle of each of the plurality of wheelsis arranged generally tangentially and spaced apart from the surface ofthe reciprocating rod.
 7. The aligning apparatus of claim 6, wherein theaxle is spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to a radius ofthe wheel.
 8. The aligning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pluralityof rolling elements are replaceable from an outside of the housing. 9.The aligning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of rollingelements are secured to the housing with a clamp mechanism accessiblefrom the outside of the housing.
 10. The aligning apparatus of claim 9,wherein the clamp mechanism further provides for adjustability of thewheel position relative to the bore.
 11. The aligning apparatus of claim2, wherein the aligning apparatus is arranged around a reciprocating rodof a pump jack system.
 12. The aligning apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe aligning apparatus is arranged around a reciprocating rod of ahydraulic rod pumping system.
 13. The aligning apparatus of claim 2,wherein the aligning apparatus is arranged on a progressing cavity pumpdrive head.
 14. The aligning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pluralityof portions of the housing each comprise a plurality of bores forreceiving fasteners to secure the portions to one another.
 15. Awellhead assembly, comprising: a blowout preventer arranged at thesurface of a well; a stuffing box arranged on the blowout preventer forcreating a seal around a reciprocating rod entering the well; and analigning apparatus, comprising: a housing configured for arrangementabout the reciprocating rod; a bore extending through the housing andhaving a size configured to allow the reciprocating rod to pass throughthe bore in a reciprocating and longitudinal motion; and a plurality ofrolling elements arranged along the bore and configured to guide the rodthrough the bore during reciprocation operations.
 16. The wellheadassembly of claim 15, wherein the housing includes a plurality ofportions and is configured for lateral removal from the reciprocatingrod.
 17. The wellhead assembly of claim 15, wherein the rolling elementsinclude a plurality of axle mounted wheels arranged in the housing andextending into the bore to engage the reciprocating rod.
 18. Thewellhead assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of rolling elementsare replaceable from an outside of the housing.
 19. The wellheadassembly of claim 18, wherein the plurality of rolling elements aresecured to the housing with a clamp mechanism accessible from theoutside of the housing.
 20. A pump jack, comprising: a pivoting beam; ahead arranged on the pivoting beam; a reciprocating mechanism configuredto pivotally reciprocate the pivoting beam; a reciprocating rod coupledto the head and extending into a wellbore for powering a pump to pumpfluid from the wellbore; a stuffing box arranged at the top of thewellbore and having a bore with the reciprocating rod extendingtherethrough; and an aligning device arranged at or around the stuffingbox with the reciprocating rod extending therethrough and includingrolling elements configured to maintain the reciprocating rod inalignment with the bore of the stuffing box.